Comment on
It’s Official: Okinawa Governor Withdraws Permission for US Base Construction | The Diplomat
cherrysan • 6 days ago
Gov Onaga is just warming up. Time is on his side. The closer this thing gets to Tokyo Olympics 2020, the more international publicity for Okinawa and with it comes massive moral and financial support. Onaga and all anti base protesters will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to force Tokyo and Washington to abandon their bases in Okinawa. Take a cue from the Pinoys. If they can kick US out of Subic, Okinawans can too.
First, they will just issue a threat for independence. Just a hint to start. If Tokyo/Washington don't bend in the next few month or some bad stuff happen in Okinawa like some Osprey or other incident involving US presence, there will be more pressure to kick US out.
Further if Tokyo and US send forces to South China Sea from Okinawa, anti base protesters will be further motivated to kick US out from Okinawa, perhaps JSDF as well. Okinawans don't want to become collateral damage from Chinese missiles like what they suffered during WWII Battle of Okinawa where about a quarter of their population was decimated.
Economic strangulation by Tokyo? Nope. Okinawans are becoming less dependent on Tokyo for handouts. Tourism from neighboring countries, especially China, S Korea, Taiwan, HK help to reduce Okinawan dependency on Tokyo.
Finally with China's ability to drill oil/gas in the deep sea, Okinawans can count on China to help them drill for oil/gas in their EEZ to help boost their revenue. Just one major oil/gas field will turn Okinawa into Kuwait, rich, finally unshackling them from Tokyo.
The future looks bright for Okinawans if they have the guts and persistence to finally break free from Tokyo. If Tokyo still don't listen, Onaga should start issuing Okinawan currency and control international border movements as a prelude to formal independence.
Go Okinawa. Do Karate chop chop chop on Tokyo!